Drive with us: Test driving the new Land Rover Discovery Sport

Join us as we take a closer look at the Land Rover Discovery Sport, the premium family SUV that can go anywhere in style 

The Land Rover Discovery Sport is the compact, more accessible alternative to the full-size Discovery. 

Think of it as the entry point into proper Land Rover ownership — a premium badge, a premium feel and genuine go-anywhere capability, but at a considerably more accessible price point.

We drove the top of the diesel lineup at the time: The R-Dynamic SE D240 in Eiger Grey. A 2.0-litre 240PS diesel with all-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic gearbox. More than enough for everyday driving, and seriously capable when you’ve got to do a bit of off-roading.

Available as a five or seven-seater, the Discovery Sport occupies a rare and genuinely useful position in the premium SUV class. Something the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Volvo XC60 simply can't match: Off-road capability. It leaves all three of them in its dust entirely.

Competing with those same premium rivals as well as the Mercedes GLC and new JAECOO 7, the Discovery Sport has been on sale since 2014 and has been updated regularly to keep pace. 

Since we drove it, the range has been updated with mild-hybrid technology across the lineup, revised trim levels and improved infotainment. The diesel we drove has since been replaced by MHEV variants.

But does the Discovery Sport justify its premium price tag — and can it really do it all? Let's find out.

What we drove:

Model: Land Rover Discovery Sport R-Dynamic SE D240

Fuel type: Diesel (48V MHEV)

Engine: 2.0-litre D240 AWD 48V MHEV Auto

Power: 240PS

Transmission: Automatic — All Wheel Drive

0-60mph: 7.2 seconds (5 seats) / 7.4 seconds (5+2 seats)

Colour: Eiger Grey

Wheels: 19-inch 10-spoke Satin Dark Grey

Or watch our video review over on YouTube:

Premium without the drama

Instantly, you can tell this is a Land Rover. The distinctive clamshell bonnet, clean body surfacing and purposeful stance give it a presence that says it could handle anything — and in true Land Rover fashion, it can.

It shares design cues with the Range Rover Evoque, bringing that premium feel to a considerably more accessible price point. The family resemblance is clear, and that's no bad thing.

The 2020 updates were subtle. It takes a keen eye to spot the differences from the previous generation. 

New grille, bumpers, headlights and LED taillights refined the exterior rather than reinvented it. 

LED headlights come as standard across the range, with premium LED units on SE models featuring scrolling indicators; a detail that wouldn't look out of place on an Audi.

We drove the R-Dynamic SE in Eiger Grey and it looked understated and genuinely premium. The 19-inch 10-spoke Satin Dark Grey alloys added a purposeful edge, and the R-Dynamic's sportier bumpers gave it a slightly more aggressive stance than the standard car without ever crossing into try-hard territory.

If you want more visual drama, the optional contrasting roof added flair without going over the top, while the Black Exterior Pack added a black finish to the grille, mirrors and exterior trim for a darker, more imposing look.

It's not the most dramatic looking SUV in its class, with the Alfa Romeo Stelvio turning more heads. But there's a quiet confidence to the way the Discovery Sport carries itself that suits the Land Rover character perfectly. It doesn't need to shout.

A cabin that earns its premium badge

Step inside and it feels genuinely premium — bordering on luxury, if we're honest.

The dashboard takes clear inspiration from the Range Rover Evoque and Velar, which pretty much explains everything. Our two-tone Light Oyster and Ebony leather interior was bright, stylish and thoroughly premium throughout. 

High-quality materials feature everywhere; soft-touch finishes and classy trim details make this an interior genuinely worth spending time in.

The R-Dynamic SE adds metal treadplates and titanium mesh finishes that elevate things further still, giving the cabin a sportier, more purposeful edge without compromising on comfort.

The 10-inch touchscreen is sharp and responsive, though the icons at the bottom of the screen can be small and fiddly to hit accurately on the move. 

Thankfully, the heating controls remain physical dual-function knobs. A clever design decision we’re onboard with as it keeps the most frequently used functions off the touchscreen entirely. 

The digital driver's display on SE and above is crisp and customisable, and the optional ClearSight rear-view mirror on HSE models transforms into a live camera feed from the roof. This is a gamechanger in poor visibility or with a full load of passengers behind you.

We had wireless charging, a heated steering wheel and USB charging points for rear passengers. 

The driving position is high and commanding, providing excellent visibility all round. The window frames sat higher than in the Evoque too, giving it a more open, less claustrophobic feel that will be appreciated on longer journeys.

The optional panoramic glass roof helps this too, making the cabin feel even more welcoming.

The second row of seats slides up to 16cm, giving flexibility between passenger legroom and boot space. 

The third row is tight though, making it best suited to children or shorter adults for anything beyond a short journey. 

And speaking of the boot, with the third row folded down you have a whopping 1,179 litres of space — an insane amount for a car of this size. Put the third row up though and that drops to just 157 litres. 

So the question is: Do you bring all passengers, or the luggage?

Land Rover does what Land Rover does best

From the moment you get behind the wheel, the Discovery Sport impresses. 

The D240 pulls brilliantly — the cream of the crop in the diesel lineup — and despite its considerable size, it never feels like a big car to drive. 

The handling is  satisfying and composed, and the high driving position gives excellent visibility and genuine confidence on the road.

We put it through its paces on the narrow Devon lanes — inevitably meeting several cars coming the other way — and it handled the situation with reassuring composure. 

No drama, no panic. Just quiet, confident capability.

It's not the sharpest SUV in its class though. The Audi Q5 and BMW X3 are more engaging on a twisty B-road, and there is noticeable body lean through faster corners. 

The steering is a touch quick given the car's relaxed, composed nature, and it feels most at home being driven at a moderate, unhurried pace rather than being pushed hard. 

At that pace though, it's a genuinely lovely place to be; road and tyre noise are well suppressed, and the nine-speed automatic gearbox is smooth and slick once you're up to speed.

But where the Discovery Sport truly earns its stripes is off the beaten track. And this is where it leaves its premium SUV rivals standing.

The Terrain Response system adapts to conditions at the press of a button — Normal, Mud, Sand, Rocks and Snow modes let the car's sophisticated traction control do the hard work for you. 

Add in variable hill descent control, a wading depth of 600mm and a towing capacity of up to 2,500kg, and the Discovery Sport does things the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 simply can't.

The optional Adaptive Dynamics adjustable suspension is worth adding if your budget allows. It takes the edge off the ride considerably, particularly around town where the standard setup can feel a little firm.

What's good, and what's not

The Land Rover Discovery Sport still has its flaws:

The good bits:

• Instantly recognisable as a Land Rover — premium badge and presence without the Range Rover price tag
• Seven-seat option — rare in the premium SUV class
• Genuine off-road capability that embarrasses its premium rivals
• Terrain Response system — Normal, Mud, Sand, Rocks and Snow modes
• 600mm wading depth and hill descent control as standard
• 2,500kg towing capacity — impressive for a family SUV

The not-so-good bits:

• Not the most engaging drive in class — Audi Q5 and BMW X3 more fun on twisty roads
• Standard suspension can feel firm around town — particularly on larger wheels
• Third row is genuinely tight — children and shorter adults only
• Boot drops to just 157 litres with third row in use

What's the verdict?

The Land Rover Discovery Sport is a genuinely impressive family SUV that delivers on most fronts.

Seven seats, go-anywhere capability and a premium interior that takes clear inspiration from the Range Rover Evoque — this is a rare combination at this price point. 

It may not be the most exciting drive in its class, but that was never the point. Its off-road capability, wading depth and towing power make it a car that can genuinely do anything. It's not trying to be a sports car, and it doesn't need to be.

The reliability record is the one caveat worth noting. Land Rover's track record in this area gives some buyers pause, and it's worth factoring into your decision. But for those who can look past that, the Discovery Sport makes a compelling case.

Top five reasons to lease the Land Rover Discovery Sport:

1. Seven-seat option — rare in the premium SUV class
2. Genuine off-road capability that leaves rivals standing
3. Premium interior with Range Rover Evoque and Velar design cues
4. Strong residual values — holds onto between 62 and 66% after three years
5. Terrain Response, hill descent control and 600mm wading depth as standard

Would we recommend leasing a Land Rover Discovery Sport?

Absolutely. The Discovery Sport is ideal for families who need seven seats without stepping up to a full-size SUV. 

If you're considering one today, the updated model with MHEV technology across the range is the one to go for — better efficiency, lower emissions and all the Discovery Sport capability you'd expect.